Annise Parker on Foreign Policy

Establish dialogue between Israel and Houston

A bi-partisan delegation of five mayors are visiting Israel this week for intensive dialogue and briefings. The educational seminar, entirely sponsored by Project Interchange, an institute of the American Jewish Committee, is intended to provide these
policymakers with a first-hand understanding of Israel. The trip includes meetings with influential figures across Israel's political and social spectrum, including senior Israeli, Palestinian, and Israeli Arab leaders. Several sessions dealing with
Israel's strategic environment, diversity issues and inter-religious cooperation, are also on the agenda, including Israeli high-tech initiatives that foster effective co-existence between Jews and Arabs. Houston Mayor Annise
Parker noted, "Houston and Israel have in common an entrepreneurial spirit and an appetite for innovation." She continued, "This is an opportunity to learn how we might be able to apply Israel's model back in Houston."